Mycotoxins Infestation in <I>Buchanania lanzan</I> and <I>Pinus gerardiana</I> Seeds

Abstract

A total of nine fungi namely Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A ochraceus, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme, F. pallidoroseum, F. solani, Penicillium citrinum and Rhizopus stolonifer were recorded from the edible kernels of Buchanania lanzan and Pinus gerardiana . A significant variation in pattern of mycoflora incidence was observed in terms of source and season. Fungal infestation in-both the substrates was highest during monsoon. Aflatoxins were the most common mycotoxins elaborated by different isolates of A. flavus obtained from B. lanzan and P.gerardiana . The amount of aflatoxins produced by the toxigenic isolates of A. flavus was in the range of 0.8-17.5 μg/ml in P.gerardiana and 0.65-13.2 μg/ml in B. lanzan . The percentage toxigenicity was comparatively lower in the isolates of other mycotoxigenic fungi. Aflatoxins were detected almost in all the samples analyzed for mycotoxin contamination.